The best duffel bags available today make packing a breeze when heading away for short trips. For men, particularly, a duffel bag is an essential travel accessory that comes in handy a lot more than you’d expect.
The great thing about the very best duffel bags is that they can act as an extension to your outfit, much more so than cabin luggage. They can be made from a range of materials, including suede, leather, nylon and even recycled polyesters.
In this duffel bag story
Why do I need a duffel bag?
The main benefit of duffel bags, however, is their practicality. All your essentials are much easier to grab with open-top zippered access, such as passports, keys, phones… whatever you need to enjoy your recreational time or business trips! The handles also make them incredibly easy to carry, particularly when navigating busy airports and hotels in the centre of town.
What to look for in a duffel bag?
Size
One key consideration when you make a purchase is the size of the duffel. Duffel bags come in all sorts of sizes, and the size you choose will likely be determined by how long you intend to travel.
Think about what you take away with you regularly that will take up a fair bit of space. If you’re going to travel to somewhere cold, you’re going to need a solid selection of sweaters, hoodies and jeans. These items can be bulky and will take up a fair amount of space, so a larger duffel bag is needed.
If you’re just going away for a weekend city break, then you can probably get away with a smaller duffel bag to pack in some shirts, t-shirts and a pair of jeans or chinos.
You will also need to factor in other travel essentials such as toiletries. Can you go without your face wash for a weekend? Will you be ok using the body wash provided by your hotel? If not, then you’ll need to factor in space for a toiletry bag.
Lastly, you think to think about footwear. Again, if it’s a weekend city break, a pair of sneakers and perhaps some Chelsea boots will do. If it’s an outdoor adventure you’re going on, then you may need to pack some hiking boots or walking shoes.
A good duffel bag really is a must for the modern gent, whether you’re heading away on travel to interstate meetings or a stag weekend in Amsterdam. Below are the best men’s duffel bags that will elevate your luggage game, and may earn you that upgrade to first class.
Material
As we mentioned at the beginning, duffel bags can come in a range of materials and the one you choose will influence where it will be used best used. Leather and suede duffel bags, for example, won’t really like to get too dirty or beaten up – although, if your duffel bag is made from genuine leather, a few beatings will help it to patina naturally, giving it a unique look.
If you’re more into outdoor pursuits, then a duffel bag made from a durable nylon material will serve you best. Many manufacturers use ripstop nylon, which not only helps to prevent any tears from occurring but will most likely be waterproof too, ensuring everything you have stored inside will remain dry if the weather turns sour.
Men’s Duffel Bags FAQ
For a weekend trip, small duffel bags with 40 litres capacity is good and compact enough to be carried. With longer trips, you may want a medium-sized duffel bag with a capacity of about 70 litres. Yes, absolutely duffel bags can be put onto an aeroplane as checked luggage in the cargo hold. You may want to invest in some padlocks to make sure it's extra safe, however. Your duffel bag can potentially be taken onboard the aircraft as a carry-on too, as long as the size of your duffel bag is within the airline's requirements for carry-on luggage. Generally, this means it should be no larger than 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches. Most brands make a travel duffel bag that'll specify it meets carry-on size requirements. Duffel bags tend to get thrown around a lot in airports, so make sure you purchase something that will last. Canvas and leather may look stylish, but they are susceptible to scuffing unless they are coated or treated to be scuff-resistant, so keep an eye out for that if you really want a canvas or leather bag. Another great option is nylon as it's durable but still lightweight.What is a good size duffel bag?
Are duffel bags allowed as checked luggage?
What is the best material for duffel bags?
Some other helpful DMARGE stories about bags and accessories:
Best Duffel Bags For Men
So, now you should have a clearer understanding of what type of duffel bag you’re looking for, it’s now time to take you through a list of the very best brands producing the very finest examples.
1/26Db
2/26Kodiak Leather Co.
3/26Bellroy
4/26Rogue Industries
Rogue Industries have a canvas and a leather duffel bag, both of which are spacious, stylishly designed, and well-made. The canvas duffel bag is waxed for water resistance, while the leather duffel bag is crafted from full-grain leather for durability. Better still, they're incredibly well-priced when you consider the quality.
5/26Briggs & Riley
6/26ZERO Halliburton
All of ZERO Halliburton's duffel bags are roomy, extremely functional and are guaranteed to impress.
7/26Paul Smith
8/26Paravel
Every single one of the company's duffel bags is roomy, stylish, and can be personalised with your initials. Available in a variety of styles, sizes, and fun colours, a Paravel bag is stylish and practical, but will also make you feel good about yourself for buying an eco-friendly bag.
9/26YETI
YETI's duffel bags are incredibly practical, since they feature divider panels and multiple compartments, and are sturdy for easy packing and unpacking. Available in bright and demure classic colours, these are the perfect duffel bags for men who love adventure.
10/26Herschel Supply
At 42.5 litres it holds enough to keep you in clean pants for a long weekend and can even double up as a sports bag. It’s made from synthetic leather and has a handy compartment that keeps your dirty shoes separate from clothing.
11/26Everlane
The Twill Weekender is made from a fully water-resistant cotton twill fabric for a healthy of dose of luxury and inside you're presented with one expanse of space for all your clothes or items, along with an internal flap for the smaller things such as a passport or wallet.
Free shipping to United States, Free shipping on orders over AU$150.
12/26WANDRD
The HEXAD Carryall Travel Duffle takes on a backpack design, with a padded back panel and sternum strap to help support heavier weights. It's made from a range of weatherproof materials and can be had in either a 40-litre carry on size, or 60-litres if extra space is a necessity.
13/26RAINS
It’s made from blend of polyester and polyurethane fabrics that keep the rain off your travel essentials, and you also get a shoulder strap that can be easily attached if your hands get tired, and a zip closure with buttoned carry handles.
14/26Troubadour
Take their Adventure weekend bag, for example, a very classy, versatile duffel bag that’s made from waterproof canvas fabrics. It features leather roll top handles and an internal laptop compartment, and looks amazing with both office and smart casual attire. A must for anyone who is serious about how they look.
15/26The North Face
It’s a highly durable option that is made from TPE fabrics and Ballistic Nylon. There are two main compartments equipped with compression straps and a handy waterproof ID pocket at the top. Add to that a D-Zip opening and a mesh storage bag and you’ll be set for any weekend expedition.
16/26Hugo Boss
It’s crafted from Italian leather and exhibits a straw-like embossed texture, for a little added luxury, while its boxy shape means that it feels compact but carries a decent volume, ideal for regular use.
17/26Miansai
It’s made with genuine Italian cowhide and looks great with virtually any type of wardrobe combination for exceptional versatility. You also get the added benefit of interior and exterior pockets and brass finishings, resulting in a rather elegant duffel for all your travelling needs.
18/26Bennett Winch
Their SC Holdall is a wonderfully designed suit carrier that oozes class and style. It’s handmade, using a mix of British dyed waterproof cotton canvas and twill, along with premium Italian leather. It features an external pocket for passports, key and wallets, with a fully removable shoe bag and a slimline coat hanger. The best business duffel bag? We think so.
19/26Away
It’s made from a mix of nylon and leather, much like a lot of the luxury options on the market, and holds up to 20 litres of your favourite garments and accessories. It also features a rather useful laptop pocket, a hidden exterior pocket and a zippered pouch perfect for a small umbrella. A really well-thought-out practical design that doesn’t sacrifice style.
20/26Porsche Design
21/26Harber London
They include this Leather Weekender bag, which will happily stow away in most aeroplane cabins. The handles are "mega comfortable" and you get a huge inner compartment for your clothes and seven pockets on the outside for smaller items. It's handmade in Spain from full-grain vegetable tanned cowhide leather that simply exudes luxury.
22/26Montblanc
This Sartorial Jet Duffle is just that, a light and elegant bag ideal for trips that require smart attire. It’s made with a combination of nylon fabric and Italian split calf-skin handles and trimmings, and sits firmly in the high-end price bracket.
23/26Bric’s
It’s made from a synthetic PVC exterior with a fine soft interior liner, while the trim is made from premium leather that ages with style. For added security, you also get a TSA-approved lock to keep your valuables safe.
24/26Smythson
It’s made from high-grade black grain leather, with smooth, calfskin handles that are rounded for added comfort. A piece that is made to stay soft and subtle over time, it’s a truly fantastic bag that will make you the envy of many!
25/26WANT Les Essentiels
This Hartsfield may be more of a tote than a duffel bag, but is till a great little snapshot of what the brand is about, in that it is made from high-quality fabrics (nylon and leather) with a touch of refined minimalism. It features internal pouch pockets, a two-way zip fastening and can hold up to 37 litres of your most treasured items.
26/26Hershan
Hershan's first product is the Utility Tote bag, available in small, medium and large sizes. The lack of closure on top makes it more suitable for weekend getaways in the car as opposed to checking into an aeroplane's cargo hold, but being handcrafted in Portugal and being made from consciously sourced cotton, it will accompany you for years and years.
Made on mid-century looms that results in zero cutting waste add to its environmentally-friendly credentials. We also happen to think it looks damn fantastic, no matter which colour you choose.